Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: Amid complexities in seat-sharing in the ruling Maha Yuti in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde asserted that a "respectable and inclusive formula" would emerge in 8 to 10 days' time.
“Things are in motion, we would close the deal soon and the formula would be known soon. Everything would be finalised in eight-10 days,” Shinde said during an informal chat with mediapersons at Varsha, the chief ministerial residence at Malabar Hill, on the occasion of Ganeshotsav, on Sunday.
The Maha Yuti (NDA) allies - BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP are in regular talks to decide on seat-shearing and discussions have gathered steam following last week's visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda.
The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections are expected around mid-November.
This week, Shinde and two Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are expected to meet and take the seat-sharing talks ahead.
Shinde said that the leadership of the three allies have agreed that the founding principle of the seat-sharing and candidate-selection would be based on merit.
The Chief Minister also stated that the Maha Yuti government was focusing on development and welfare measures and was getting good response from people. “Our focus and agenda is clear and this reflects in our work,” said Shinde.
Hitting out at the Maha Vikas Aghadi, he said that things have changed from the Lok Sabha elections and alleged that the opposition is engaging in fake narratives.
Asked about the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), he said, “If you look at the (Lok Sabha results) our strike rate is better.”